Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - U.S.-Japan Alliance And

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2409 2930337
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P 200337Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6912
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
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INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 6973
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 9328
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 4243
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7485
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0791
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1464
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3057
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8119
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7654
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 002409

SIPDIS

STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, EAP/J, EAP/P,
PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE AND
INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION

1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning included a Nikkei
interview with Finance Minister Fujii, who said that the GOJ may
issue additional government bonds to cover tax revenue shortages in
fiscal 2009.

2. "Prime Minister Hatoyama Should Make Decisions on Issues Related
to U.S.-Japan Alliance" The conservative Sankei editorialized
(10/20): "Secretary of Defense Gates will visit Japan October 20-21
to hold talks with Prime Minister Hatoyama and other top Japanese
government officials. While the focus of the talks will likely be
the issue of Futenma facility relocation, the Hatoyama
administration is faced with many problems that touch on the
foundation of the U.S.-Japan alliance, including Japan's new
contributions to replace the MSDF's refueling operation in the
Indian Ocean and the issue of the 'U.S. nuclear umbrella.' In order
to avoid jeopardizing U.S.-Japan relations, Prime Minister Hatoyama
should make pragmatic decisions to resolve outstanding issues,
including Futenma."

3. "Serious Discussion Should Be Held on International Child
Abduction" The liberal Asahi argued in an editorial (10/20): "Voices
have been raised in the U.S. and European nations claiming that more
than 100 children have been 'abducted' to Japan.... The problem of
Japanese parents whose marriages have failed wrongfully taking their
children away from their countries of residence is becoming an
international issue. More than a hundred of these cases have been
reported in the U.S., the UK, and Canada, and there is harsh
criticism that Japan is 'encouraging child abductions.'... Pressure
from foreign countries is growing, as U.S. Ambassador to Japan Roos
and ambassadors from European nations urged the Japanese justice
minister on October 16 to sign the Hague Convention on the Civil
Aspects of International Child Abduction.... It appears unrealistic
to continue to avoid signing the Convention, as the number of
international marriages involving Japanese nationals is growing....
It is time to hold serious discussions at home and abroad on the
welfare of children of divorced parents."

ROOS

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